Papel del radiofarmacéutico clínico en la seguridad del paciente durante los estudios de perfusión miocárdica de esfuerzo con vasodilatadores / Role of the clinical radiopharmacist in patient safety during myocardial perfusion imaging with vasodilator stress agents

Objetivos: Evaluar el papel del radiofarmacéutico en un equipo multidisciplinar en la detección de contraindicaciones del regadenosón para su uso seguro en pacientes a los que se solicitó una SPECT de perfusión miocárdica. Métodos: Se estudió ambispectivamente su uso seguro en 1.905 pacientes (54,1% mujeres, edad media: 66,6±11,7 años, rango: 20-95años). Se registraron datos relativos al sexo, a la edad, al historial médico, a la medicación, a las alergias medicamentosas y a las contraindicaciones para el estrés farmacológico, así como las recomendaciones realizadas al médico nuclear responsable. Resultados: Las contraindicaciones detectadas y las correspondientes recomendaciones fueron las siguientes: riesgo de prolongación del intervalo QTc (7,5%): comprobación previa del intervalo QTc y monitorización del ECG; ictus o AIT previo (4,2%): evaluación de estenosis carotídea; alergia a salicilatos y/o sulfamidas (3,1%): empleo de [99mTc]Tc-MIBI; epilepsia o riesgo de convulsiones (2,4%): uso de adenosina o reconsiderar su indicación; tratamiento con corticosteroides sistémicos en EPOC severa (1,3%): reevaluar las condiciones del paciente; EPOC reagudizada (0,8%): posponer hasta la resolución del episodio agudo; asma grave (0,4%): no realizar la prueba; toma de metilxantinas (0,3%): evitar su consumo previo; otras (6,1%): evaluación de cada contraindicación. No se observaron contraindicaciones en el 73,6% de los pacientes. Se anularon el 2,9% de las peticiones debido a contraindicaciones absolutas. Conclusiones: Empleando una metodología de trabajo sistemática, el radiofarmacéutico detectó un elevado número de incidencias, presentando uno de cada cuatro pacientes alguna contraindicación clínica. Las recomendaciones emitidas fueron aceptadas por los médicos nucleares, que modificaron su enfoque, incrementando así la seguridad de estos pacientes.(AU)

Aim: To assess the radiopharmacist's role in a multidisciplinary team focused on the contraindications of regadenoson in order to ensure the safe use of pharmacologic vasodilator stress agents in patients undergoing SPECT-MPI. Methods: We ambispectively studied its safe use in 1905 patients (54.1% female, mean age: 66.6±11.7 years, range: 20-95years). Sex, age, medical history, medications, drug allergies, and contraindications for stress testing were registered together with recommendations for the nuclear physician in charge. Results: Detected contraindications and corresponding recommendations were as follows: risk factors for QTc interval prolongation 7.5% — measurement of QTc interval previously to test and monitor ECG; prior stroke or TIA 4.2% — consider carotid stenosis assessment; salicylates/sulfonamides allergy 3.1% — use 99mTc-sestamibi; epilepsy or risk factors for seizures 2.4% — use of adenosine or reconsider test indication; systemic corticosteroid therapy for severe COPD 1.3% — reassessment of patient's condition; acute exacerbation of COPD 0.8% — defer test until acute episode is over; severe asthma 0.4% — do not perform test; methylxanthine ingestion 0.3% — avoid consumption previously; other 6.1% — evaluation of other contraindications. No contraindications were detected in 73.6% of patients. The test was cancelled due to absolute contraindications in 2.9% of the requests. Conclusions: Working in a systematic way, the radiopharmacist was able to detect a high number of issues related to regadenoson, with one out of four patients presenting some clinical contraindication. The recommendations given by the radiopharmacist were well accepted by the nuclear physicians who changed their approach contributing to increase the safety of patients referred for MPI.(AU)

Role of the clinical radiopharmacist in patient safety during myocardial perfusion imaging with vasodilator stress agents.

AIM: To assess the radiopharmacist's role in a multidisciplinary team focused on the contraindications of regadenoson in order to ensure the safe use of pharmacologic vasodilator stress agents in patients undergoing SPECT-MPI. METHODS: We ambispectively studied its safe use in 1905 patients (54.1% female, mean age: 66.6±11.7 years, range: 20-95 years). Sex, age, medical history, medications, drug allergies, and contraindications for stress testing were registered together with recommendations for the nuclear physician in charge. RESULTS: Detected contraindications and corresponding recommendations were as follows: risk factors for QTc interval prolongation 7.5% - measurement of QTc interval previously to test and monitor ECG; prior stroke or TIA 4.2% - consider carotid stenosis assessment; salicylates/sulfonamides allergy 3.1% - use 99mTc-sestamibi; epilepsy or risk factors for seizures 2.4% - use of adenosine or reconsider test indication; systemic corticosteroid therapy for severe COPD 1.3% - reassessment of patient's condition; acute exacerbation of COPD 0.8% - defer test until acute episode is over; severe asthma 0.4% - do not perform test; methylxanthine ingestion 0.3% - avoid consumption previously; other 6.1% - evaluation of other contraindications. No contraindications were detected in 73.6% of patients. The test was canceled due to absolute contraindications in 2.9% of the requests. CONCLUSIONS: Working in a systematic way, the radiopharmacist was able to detect a high number of issues related to regadenoson, with one out of four patients presenting some clinical contraindication. The recommendations given by the radiopharmacist were well accepted by the nuclear physicians who changed their approach contributing to increase the safety of patients referred for MPI.